Fast store delivery, daily and seasonal volume fluctuations and the continuous change in the purchasing behavior of end customers are major challenges in the wholesale sector - as a result, the demands on intralogistics are also changing. Ricardo Nini S.A.'s new distribution center in Moreno meets these requirements and will ensure the efficient supply of a broad portfolio of dry food and non-food goods to over 3,000 stores in the Buenos Aires area and the directly connected 12,000^m2 sales area. The new logistics center covers 32,000^m2 and will offer space for 9,000 items. Each day, 1,100 pallets will be processed in the incoming goods area and 127,000 cases and 194,000 individual items will be picked.

In the incoming goods department, incoming pallets undergo a control check and, if necessary, are automatically loaded onto system pallets. At the heart of the system are an automated high-bay warehouse with 37,000 pallet spaces and a 7-aisle shuttle warehouse with 117,000 container spaces. In the high-bay warehouse, six energy-efficient Exyz storage and retrieval machines ensure double-deep storage and retrieval processes. In the shuttle warehouse, the items are first repacked into containers at 12 ergonomic goods-to-person workstations and then stored using the highly efficient Cuby single-level shuttle.

Picking is carried out using 990 pallet pick faces, including automatic replenishment by the Exyz storage and retrieval machines, as well as at ten goods-to-person workstations for cases and 12 goods-to-person workstations for individual items. In addition, a fleet of automated guided vehicles will ensure the automated replenishment of entire pallets in the adjoining sales area. All areas in the new distribution center are connected via pallet conveyor and carton and container conveyor technology. The scope of supply and services is rounded off by two container stackers and destackers as well as the Wamas logistics software, which controls all warehouse processes.

"We evaluated many intralogistics options and solutions. SSI Schaefer convinced us across the board. We have great confidence in SSI Schaefer's ability and experience in planning, developing and implementing integrated logistics systems, including the customized software we need," sums up Carmelo Miguel Nini, owner of Ricardo Nini S.A.

Both the high-bay warehouse and the order picking areas should be operational by the end of 2019.